United States Attorney Gregory Haanstad announced today that the following nineteen (19) defendants have been charged in federal court with offenses related to a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, as well as money laundering and bankruptcy fraud:

Clifton Morrison, age 51

Jose Rodriguez, age 67

Miguel Rodriguez, age 68

Samuel Flores-Morales, age 39

Luis Nevarez, age 27

Brenda Y. Valverde, age 29

Ronnie McFadden, age 47

Dewayne Alexander, Sr., age 48

Frederick R. Perry, age 56

David Wilder III, age 50

Tommie Stevens, age 41

Germaine D. Johnson, age 35

Daniel S. Carter, age 43

Don D. Walker-Cruse, age 41

Ricky Christopher, age 49

David D. Coleman, age 39

Kellin R.L. Morrison, age 33

Janine R. Hegwood, age 51

Dewayne Alexander, Jr., age 24

The defendants currently reside in the greater Milwaukee area, Chicago, Illinois, and Burlington, Iowa. This case is a part of a long-term federal drug and money laundering investigation based out of Milwaukee.

The defendants are charged with various drug, money laundering and bankruptcy fraud offenses, including: distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy. If proven that the offenses involved either more than one kilogram of heroin or five kilograms of cocaine, defendants charged with drug offenses will face up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison.

Today, law enforcement officers arrested all of the above defendants. In addition to today’s arrests, law enforcement officers executed 17 federal search warrants in Wisconsin and Illinois and one state warrant in Iowa targeting members of this organization. Law enforcement recovered approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and a half kilogram of heroin. Law enforcement also seized 21 guns (including 3 rifles), 8 vehicles and an undetermined amount of cash. Over 250 federal, state, and local officers participated in these arrests and search warrants.

In making today’s announcement about the federal charges, searches, and arrests, United States Attorney Haanstad stated: “The large-scale distribution of cocaine, heroin, and other controlled substances is a continuing and urgent threat to public health and public safety. Countering that threat requires the sustained, concerted attention of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and by task forces like the one whose efforts led to these charges and arrests. The United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice are committed to continuing to make efforts like these a top priority.”

Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Bell commended local, state and federal law enforcement agents for strategically and successfully dismantling this high-level heroin trafficking organization. “This very organized criminal network profited by perpetuating addiction and suffering – by victimizing others. To save lives and reduce levels of addiction, law enforcement agents and federal prosecutors will continue to purposefully bring predatory drug traffickers to justice.”

“Once again DOJ’s DCI agents worked together with federal, state, and local law enforcement to take down a major crime organization that has been flooding southeastern Wisconsin with fentanyl, heroin, and guns,” said Attorney General Schimel. “Today’s bust will put a major dent in this criminal organization’s ability to prey on and profit off of people’s addiction. This is a significant win in the fight against the opioid epidemic and efforts to reduce gun violence.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth M. Monfils and Gail J. Hoffman.

A criminal complaint is merely the formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.